Clock



Oct. 24, 1944- M. E. scHLENKER CLOCK Filed April 12, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheetl INVENTOR.

MAX E. .FCHLFNKEQ ATTORNEY.

Oct. 24, 1944.

M. E. SCHLENKER CLOCK Filed' April 12, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 50lllllll!! 4a INVENTOR.

MAX E. SCHLENKEB BY ATTORNEY.

Oct. 24, 1944. M. E. scHLx-:NKr-:R

'CLOCK Filed April l2, 1943 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 0N p05/ T/ON INVENTOR. 'auxE. SCHLENKER A TTORNEY.

Patented Oct. 24, 1944 CLOCK Max E.'Schlenker, Peru, Ill., assignor toGeneral Time Instruments Corporation, New York, N. Y.. a corporation ofDelaware Application April 12, 1943, Serial No. 482,698

11 Claims.

The present invention relates in general to clocks and more particularlyto clocks of the alarm type. The main object of the invention istoprovide an alarm clock having an improved alarm switch or shut-offmechanism.

According to one feature of the invention, the manual member whichcontrols the alarm switch mechanism is arranged to be operated in thesame direction'irrespective of whether the alarm is According to anotherfeature of the invention, the manual member for controlling the alarmswitch mechanism has means associated therewith for visually indicatingwhether the alarm mechanism is in on or off position.

Another feature of the invention relates to the means for holding themanual member in a partially operated position when the alarm mechanismis in oi position.

The above and other objects and features of the invention will beclearly understood from a perusal of the following specification whenread in connection with the accompanying drawings, comprising Figures 1to 5, inclusive, in which Fig. 1 is a cross sectional view of a clockembodying the present invention taken along line I-l of Fig. 2, some ofthe parts not essential to an understanding of the present inventionhaving been omitted for clarity;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the as viewed from the left in Fig. l;

clock mechanism Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view of the time and alarmsetting means;

Fig. 4 shows the alarm switch mechanism in on position; and

Fig. 5 shows the alarm switch mechanism in off position.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, only suicient of the parts of aclock have been shown to clearly illustrate the present invention. Thecasing member of the clock is indicated by the reference character l,the gong or back cover of the clock by the character 2, and the movementholder by the reference character 3.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the majorportion of the clock movement is mounted between the front movementplate 5 and the rear movement plate 4, which plates are held in parallelspaced relationship by means of the pillars 1.. Secured to the frontmovement plate 5 is the dial plate 6 which is held in spacedrelationship thereto by means of the bent-up portions 'I9 of dial plate6, these portions having reduced projections which nt into holes in thefront movement plate 5. The movement holder 3 is secured to the casingmembers of the clock in a manner not illustrated in the drawings and inturn mounts the clock movement. This movement holder is connected to therear movement plate 4 by means of the spacing pillars 8. The gong 2 ismounted on the movement holder 3 by means of screws such as 9.

For the sake of clarity, the usual escapement mechanism, and spring andspring barrel have been omitted from the drawings since these may be ofthe usual construction as found in the ordinary clock.

The center shaft 46 is journalled in the two movement plates and passesthrough a bushing in the dial plate E. Fixedly mounted on this centershaft is the gear Wheel 65 which is part of the setting mechanism forthe hands, the collar 49 against which bears the friction spring 50, andthe pinion 5| which is part of the 12 to 1 reduction gearing between theminute and hour hands. Also directly mounted on the center shaft 46 isthe minute hand 56. The gear wheel 4l and associated pinion 48 arerotatably mounted on shaft 45, and are'connected thereto through thefriction connection comprising the spring 5U which bears against the endof pinion 48, and against the previously mentioned collar 49. The pinion48 is geared to the usual Spring barrel by means of which power istransmitted to the center shaft. usual train to the clock escapement.

Referring particularly to Fig. l, the l2 to I reduction gearing for thehour hand comprises the pinion 5| mounted on shaft 46 and geared intothe wheel 13 mounted on shaft 'l5 together with the pinion 14. Thepinion 14 is geared into the wheel 52 which is mounted on the hoursleeve which in turn is rotatably mounted on the center shaft 46. Thishour sleeve extends through the dial plate 6 and at its outer end ismounted the hour hand 5l. another sleeve on which are mounted the alarmcam and associated gear 54 which is provided for setting the alarmmechanism. This sleeve also extends through the dial plate and at itsouter end is mounted the alarm set indicating hand 58. The cam 55 .isprovided with a notch or cutaway portion 16 which is adapted tocooperate with the cam follower 53 which consists of a bent down portioncut out of the wheel 52. The follower 53 ismaintained against thesurface of the crown cam 55 by means of flat spring 59 mounted on thefront movement plate 5. This fiat spring is provided with a lateralprojection adapted to engage the teeth ofthe alarm The gear 4l isconnected through the I Surrounding the hour sleeve is escape wheel Inwhen the follower 53 is on the high portion of cam 55. When the followerdrops into the notch 'I6 the projection 60 is withdrawn from the teethof the escape wheel IIJ and permits the alarm mechanism to function.

The alarm escape Wheel I IJ is mounted on shaft II which is journalledin the movement plates 4 and 5. The pinion I2 is xedly mounted on shaftI I to the rear of plate 4 and this pinion is adapted to engage a gearwheel (not shown) attached to the spring shaft. The power for operatingthe alarm mechanism, therefore, is transmitted from the drive spring topinion I2. An alarm hammer I3 (Fig. l) is mounted on shaft I6 which isjournalled in the two movement plates. This hammer .member consists ofan extended arm carrying at its lower end the weighted hammer mechanismI4 which is adapted to Strike against the gong 2 when the alarmmechanism is operated. This arm operates through a hole I5 in themovement holder 3.

The hammer member I3 is also provided with the pallets cooperating withthe escape wheel I and an arm 4I extending upwardly from the member I3and cooperating with the manual shut-off mechanism as will be explainedlater.

The manual alarm switch or shut-off mechanism includes a bell cranklever 36 flxedly mounted on shaft 35 journalled in the two movementplates. This bell crank lever consists of an arm 39 which extends intothe path of lateral projection 40 on the end of arm 4I which is part ofthe hammer member. Another arm 42 of this bell crank lever 36 isprovided with a lateral projection 43 at its lower end, this projectionbeing adapted to engage a multi-toothed cam mem ber 34 mounted on shaft33 together with the ratchet wheel 32. The third arm 31 of the bellcrank lever 36 extends upwardly and is provided at its upper end with alaterally projecting latching plate 38 which is adapted to engage theshoulder of the enlarged portion 23 of the manual shut-01T member I9.The bell crank lever 36 is normally held in the position shown in Fig. 1by means of the spring 44 which is coiled around shaft 35, one end beingheld by the hook 45 formed by a struck-out portion of the front movementplate 5, and the other end bearing against the edge of the plate 38. Inthis position of the bell crank lever 36, the extension 39 lies in thepath of projection 40 of the hammer mechanism and the alarm cannotfunction.

Also journalled in the two movement plates 4 and is the shaft 26 whichhas rigidly mounted thereon a bell crank lever 25. This lever comprisesa' downwardly extending arm 29 having a -at spring 30 attached to itslower end. This at spring 30 is provided with a hole which is adapted tobe engaged by the teeth of the ratchet wheel 32. The flat spring 30,therefore, functions as an operating pawl for the ratchet wheel 32.Downwardly extending arm 28 of bell crank lever 25 engages one of thespacing pillars I to limit the movement of the bell crank lever in acounterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 1.

The arm 29 is also provided with a laterally extending projection 3Iwhich extends through and is adapted to engage the edge of a hole in therear movement plate 4 in order to limit the clockwise movement of bellcrank lever 25.

Bell crank lever 25 is also provided with a third arm carrying a flatlaterally extending plate 24 which is located in the path of movement ofthe enlarged or knob portion 23 of the manual shutoff member I9. Theshut-off member I9 is journalled in a bushing 20 secured in the movementholder. The spring clip 22, retained in a groove in shaft I9, limits theupward movement of the member and same is biased to its upper positionby means of the spring 2I surrounding shaft I 9 and bearing at its lowerend against bushing 20 and at its upper end against the manual controlmember I'l secured to shaft I9.

The means for setting the alarm cam and the alarm set indicating hand 5Bcomprises the shaft 62 journalled in the movement plates 4 and 5 andbearing at its lower end the gear 6I which engages the alarm gear 54.Shaft 62 at its upper end carries the gear Wheel 63 which in turn is inmesh with the gear wheel 64 mounted on the sleeve 10. This sleeve 'I0 isrotatably mounted on and forms the bearing for the hand setting shaft69. This shaft 69 has its lower end journalled in the movement plate 4and mounts the gear wheel 66 which is geared into the wheel 65 mountedon center shaft 46.

From a, study of Fig. 3 of the drawings, it will be seen that the sleeveI0 extends through the movement holder 3 and the gong or back cover 2,and has securely mounted thereon at its outer end, the operating knob68. This knob is provided with a cut out portion adapted to receive awasher 'II and a nut l2 which is tightened on the threads provided onthe outer end of sleeve I0 in order to clamp the knob 68 against ashoulder provided on the sleeve.

The operating knob 6l is provided with an insert Il containing internalthreads which engage the threads on the outer end of the shaft 69. Aswill be seen from Fig. 2, the knob 68 lies directly over the screws 9which mount the gong to the movement holder and all unsightly mountingscrews are thereby eliminated from the rear of the clock.

The hands of the clock are set by turning knob 61 which is geared to thecenter shaft 46 by means of gears 66 and 65 as previously described.

The alarm set indicating hand 58v is adjusted by means of the operatingknob 68 which is geared to the sleeve carrying hand 58, through gears64, 63, 6I and 54. The alarm cam 55 is prevented from being rotated bythe cam follower 53 by means of a spring spider I8 which bears againstthe dial plate 6 and against a shoulder on the cam sleeve.

The operation of the alarm shut-olf mechanism will now be described inconnection with Figs. 4 and 5.

Fig. 4 discloses the mechanism in its on position, that is, with theshut-off mechanism released so that the alarm may be set in operation atthe pre-determined time indicated by the alarm set indicating hand. Inthis position the arm 39 of bell crank lever 36 is in its lower-mostposition and out of the path of projection 40. The projection 43 on arm42 is in engagement with one of the high points on the control cam 34.The manual member I'I is held in its upper-most position by spring 2Iand the major portion of this member extends through the case I todisclose the lettering which is embossed in the member. Also, toindicate the on condition of the switch in the dark, the holes or wellsI8 in member II are filled with luminous material. The member I'I may bemade of transparent plastic material so that the glow of the luminousmaterial may be seen in the dark.

When the manual member II is depressed, the lower knob 23 strikes thehorizontal plate 24 and rotates bell crank lever 25 in a clockwisedirection. During this rotation the pawl 30 engages a sociated with saidlast means for indicating the tooth on ratchet 32 and moves same in acounter- ,position of said shut-oit member. clockwise direction. The cam34 moves with the 2. In an alarm clock, alarm mechanism, an ratchetwheel 32 and the projection or cam folalarm shut-oir member having anofi position lower 43 is moved from a high point on the cam 5 in whichit blocks said alarm mechanism and an -to a low point on the cam,permitting bell crank on position in which it frees said alarm mechlever36 to be rotated in a counter-clockwise dianis-m for operation, a manualmember for conrecticn by means of spring 44 to the position trollingsaid shut-off member, means responsive shown in Fig. 5. In this positionthe latching to successive operations of said manual member plate 38engages the shoulder on knob 23 and 10 in the same direction foralternately moving said holds the manual shut-off member in its lowershut-off member to its on and off positions, :position against the urgeof spring 2 I. The and means for latching said manual member in acounter-clockwise rotation of the bell crank lever partially operatedposition when said shut-ofi le- 36 also brings the arm 39 into the pathof prover is moved to off position. jection 4U, thereby stopping thesounding of the 15 3. In an alarm clock, alarm operating mechaalarm.nism, a first means for blocking said mechanism When it is desired toturn the alarm on, the and time controlled means for releasing saidfirst manual member I1 is again depressed, rotating blocking means, asecond blocking means for said bell crank lever in the counter-clockwisedirecalarm operating mechanism, a manually deprestion and advancing theratchet wheel 32 and asso- 2o sible member, means responsive tosuccessive de- Cttted Cam 34. ROtatlOll Of Cam 34 fOICeS the pressingmovements 0f Said member for alter.. cam follower 43 to a high portionof the Cain nately rendering said second blocking means eftherebyrotating bell crank lever 36 in a clockwise feotive and ineffective, andvisual signal means direction. This unlatohes the latohng plate 38 forindicating when said second blocking means, from knob 23 and permits themanual member 5 15in @Hooi-,ive blocking position H to be raised toitsupper position by Spring 2|. 4. In an alarm clock, alarm mechanism andIn this pOSllOll the WOI'd O11 1S Visible and also Operating meanstherefor means for blocking the luminous indicators are visible so thatthe said operating moansy timo meohanism for con- Condition 0f the alarmmechanism may be Seen trolling said blocking means, an alarm shut-offata glance. lever having a first 4position in which it blocks Clockwiserotation of bell crank lever 33 also said alarm mechanism and a secondposition in removes arm 39 from the path of projeeton 40 which it isfree of said alarm mechanism, a thereby preparing the alarm mechanism S0that it manually depressible member for controlling said VVU. Opeaite atthe Set When Calm OHOWGI' Shut 0ff1ever, means responsive to Successivede- 53 drops into notch 16 and removes the projec- 35 pressing movementsof Said member for altertion 63 of spring 59 from the teeth of the alarmnMols, moving said lever to its blocking and nom @Scape Wheel '0-blocking positions, and means for indicating From the fofegongdescription O the mecha' when said lever is in non-blocking position.nism and the operation of the same, it will be 5 In an alarm ,clockyalarm mechanism and seen that there is provided an improved alam 40operating means therefor, time controlled means switch or shut-oitmechanism for an alarm clock for controlling said operating moans,blocking which is very convenient and easily operable. It moans for saidalarm mechanism a manually ds Wm be Seen that the manual Operatmg memberpressible member, means responsive to successive for the alam mechansm-salways Operated in depressing movements of said member for alterthe Samedllectlony that 1S the member 1S de 45 nately rendering said blockingmeans effective pressed irrespective of whether the alarm mechandineffective and means for retaining said anism 1s to be turned on orofff When the member in a partially depressed position When mechanism isin off position, the manual mem-v Said blocking moans is effeotlvo ber Sin lOWeY-'Illst position Only a, Smau 6 In an alarm clock alarmmechanism and portion thereof extending through the case of operatingmeans therefor, means for blocking the Clock. When the alarm 1S in 011DOStOYl said operating means, time mechanism for conthe manual memberassumes tS upper pOStOIl trolling said blocking means, an alarm shut-oilI in which it extends through the Casing far lever having ablockingposition and anon-blockerlOugh t0 be easily grasped t0 Shut Off thealarm ing position with respect to said alarm mechaand in thisupper-most position it also serves aS nisrn, a manually operable memberfor controlling a signal to indicate that the alarm switch is 0n. saidshut-oir lever, means responsive to successive Although only oneembodiment of the invenoperations of said member in the same direction ltion has been disclosed and described, it will be for alternately movingsaid lever to its blocking apparent to those skilled in the art thatmany and non-blocking positions, resilient means for modifications maybe made in this mechanism urging said member to its unoperated position,without departing from the spirit of the invenand means for holding saidmember in a partially operated position when said shut-off lever tion.

Having described the invention, what is claimed is in blocking position.as new and is desired to have protected by Letters 7. In an alarm clock,'alarm mechanism and Patent is: operating means therefor, a shut-offlever for 1. In an alarm clock, alarm mechanism, an blocking said alarmmechanism, a manual memalarm shut-ofi member having an ofi position berfor controlling said shut-off lever, means rein which it blocks saidalarm mechanism against sponsive to successive operations of saidmemoperation and an on position in which it reyber in the samedirectionfor causing said shutleases said alarm mechanism, a manually operoirlever to alternately block and release said able member for controllingsaid shut-off memalarm mechanism, means for biasing said member, meansresponsive to successive operations of ber to a normal position, and aprojection on said said manually operable member in the same dishut-offlever for holding said member in parrection for alternately moving saidshut-oir memtially operated position when Said shut-off lever ber to itson and off positions, and means asis in blocking position. I

8. In an alarm clock, alarm mechanism, an alarm shut-off member havingan 01T position and an on position, a manual member for controlling saidshut-on member, means responsive to successive operations of said manualmember in the same direction for alternately moving said shut-orf memberto its off and on positions, means for latching said manual member in apartially operated position when said shut-oil? lever, is moved to 01Tposition, and visual signal means associated with said manual member forindicating the position of said shut-off member.

9. In an alarm clock including a case, alarm mechanism and operatingmeans therefor mounted Within said case, control means including amanual member extending from said case for alternately blocking andreleasing said operating means responsive to successive depressingmovements of said manual member, signal means associated with saidmember to indicate the release position of said control means, and meansfor latching said manual member in partially depressed position Whensaid control means is in blocking position to render said signal meansineffective.

10. In an alarm clock, alarm mechanism, a shut-off lever having an armadapted to block said alarm mechanism, a cam for controlling theposition of said arm, a manually operable member, means responsive tosuccessive operations of said member for rotating said cam toalternately move said arm to blocking and non-blocking positions, andmeans associated therewith for indicating whether said arm is inblocking or nonblocking position.

11. In an alarm clock, alarm mechanism, a shut-01T lever having an armadapted to block said alarm mechanism, a cam for controlling theposition of said arm, a manually operable member, means responsive tosuccessive operations of said member for rotating said cam toalternately move said arm to blocking and non-blocking positions, and asecond arm on said shut-off lever for latching said member in partiallyoperated position when said first arm is in blocking position.

MAX E. SCHLENKER.

